East Fife 1 Forfar Athletic 2

Forfar Athletic made it two wins in a row after a hard fought 2-1 win over East Fife on Saturday at a windy New Bayview.

Dylan Easton netted the opener from the spot before Mark Docherty’s penalty levelled the scores; Matthew Aitken nodding home a winner in the 76th minute.

Jim Weir handed debuts to loan duo Russell Dingwall and Ross MacIver in two of four changes as Aitken and Mackintosh also replaced Darren Whyte, Eddie Malone, Mark Millar and David Cox, who had signed for Cowdenbeath.

The Loons had the opening chance through Dylan Easton in the seventh minute when he was set up by Dingwall; his effort beat keeper Ryan Goodfellow but clipped the top of the crossbar.

Ten minutes later Forfar had a great chance to take the lead when Josh Peters looked to have been tripped by Scott Linton. With regular spot kick taker Mark Millar suspended, Easton stepped up and calmly slotted the penalty past Goodfellow.

The first half was very much a dull affair with little to write about as both sides struggled to create chances. East Fife did come close to an equaliser in the 25th minute with Craig Thomson hitting the base of the post from close range.

Referee Stephen Finnie awarded the hosts a questionable penalty on the stroke of half time and Mark Docherty fired home despite McCallum diving the right way.

Both sides started to create more in the second half with Josh Peters firing past the post for the Loons before Thomson was denied by McCallum at the other end.

Peters had chances to put Forfar back ahead before the hour mark but failed to trouble the keeper.

In the 70th minute Linton’s cross found former Loon Chris Duggan but he couldn’t get his header on target before Murray Mackintosh blasted over.

McCallum did well to deny the hosts with a save from a Duggan effort in the 72nd minute and four minutes later that was to prove to be an important save.

Dingwall sent a corner deep into the six yard box and Matthew Aitken was on hand to nod the ball into the back of the net, this being his third senior goal.

He almost grabbed a second in added time however Goodfellow saved his shot from inside the box.

With all three points gained, the Loons move above Queen’s Park and are now within touching distance of Albion Rovers in eighth.

Match report by Lee Smith

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